Some Questions about the BH

[laurlitt]

There are 2 turns that are now allowed during the about-turn portion (both require the handler to turn LEFT into the turn).

1 of them is the Schutzhund about turn that we are all used to where the handler pivots left and the dog travels around the back of the handler.

The other turn is the 180 pivot like turn where the handler turns left (just like above and the dog MUST remain in heel position (hence doing a 180 pivot (or u-turn) in place. The 'regular' about turn (as seen in AKC obedience) is NOT allowed in Sch. obedience

As for teaching the dog the pattern, I don't think it is important that the dog knows the pattern but it is important that the dog be able to exhibit the same amount of heeling that you will see during a BH. I have heeled up and down the field at least 3 times to make sure the dog has the stamina to maintain 'up' heeling for that amount of time.

As Gretchen mentioned, make sure you exhibit the final left turn after the pattern before going into the group. Sometimes the group is situated in a location that makes it easy to go straight into (w/out the left) but just do a left and then turn towards the group! The USRC Nationals this year was a perfect example of the group in a 'bad' location and some handlers skipped the left and went straight into the group. Also, on the off leash portion after you do the left turn you can stop and sit the dog to 'finish' that exercise. If you continue to keep heeling to start the motion exercises the judges can keep judging you on your heeling.

[laurlitt]

Most people don't think about this part and just do whatever. I recall a judge telling us in detail how this was to be done and I have remembered it for many years...

1. Bring your dog to the location where they will do the down (most trials have a location for females and 1 for males, marked with a flag or something)
2. Your dog will be sitted in heel position and you will remove the leash and put in away (however you decide to keep it)
3. Once the leash is put away you command your dog platz/down (usually when the judge signals you to) and walk away.
4. After the exercise and you return to your dog: Wait for the judge to signal you to sit your dog then 1. Sit your dog 2. Remove the leash from wherever it is, leash the dog and 3. Go to check out (if you have already done heeling) or go to do your heeling

At the beginning of the trial the judge may talk to you on how he wants you to perform the exercises, usually the judge wants you to look to him/her at the beginning of each exercise for his go-ahead to start (a lot of time they are still scoring the previous exercise and aren't ready to watch you on the next). The time when you are waiting is great for taking a deep breath and relaxing!!!

[jas'smom]

. The time when you are waiting is great for taking a deep breath and relaxing!!![/quote]


Or throwing up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BostonRott]

Yep, snapping the leash on the dog (when returning to the honor down) before the dog is sitting will lose you MAJOR points. Don't even have it in your hand until the dog is sitting.

ANother hint to help you: some judges are pencil-sharp about step count, especially in the build-ups. Be sure you do NO LESS than 10 steps and NO MORE than 15 before your motion exercises (sit/down for the BH). Be sure that your heeling pattern is at least 40 paces out. Go to the field early, find a visual start point. Count out 40 paces, look to your left and right and find markers. When heeling your dog, just go to that marker.

[laurlitt]

Originally Posted by jas'smom

. The time when you are waiting is great for taking a deep breath and relaxing!!!

Or throwing up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [/quote]


Or Fainting

To follow up with Gretchen's comments about counting paces when it should be between 10-15... I always use 12 as my counter to make sure I'm within the range. When you are training the dog for the sit and down exercises don't always use the same number or the dog will become wise to when they should sit or down and will get you in trouble for anticipating...

Another hint for the BH: since it is judged a bit more loosely than the I, II, or III obedience and it is expected that the dog is still a bit 'green' you can help your dog out a bit more. So if you are heeling and/or taking a corner and you find your dog lagging, wandering off some (this will only happen during the trial) then you should go ahead and do what it takes to get the dog with you (excect yank on the leash)... so an extra fuss command or a pat on the leg or arm to pull them back to you is reasonable to happen. It's better than having your dog off in the crowd checking out someone. In theory your dog should be with you at all times, but these things do happen when handlers are 'green', nervous, etc. etc. etc.

We can all train for a perfect routine but it certainly helps to know what you can do when some things don't go as planned...